The Best Small Portable Air Conditioners for Hot Atlanta Summers

In places where summer heat’s accompanied by high humidity levels, an air conditioner can be crucial to keeping your cool and staying comfortable. There are so many portable air conditioners available that finding the right one to meet your needs without breaking the bank (either on initial purchase or in terms of your cooling bill) can be a challenge. A basic understanding of how portable air conditioners work and what features will best meet your needs can make the process a little less challenging.

The first thing to understand about how air conditioners work has to do with dehumidification. All units are designed to remove moisture from the air, but some do it better than others. If you live out west (or some other area where the air stays dry), dehumidification isn’t as big a concern for you as it is for someone who lives in a place where relative humidity numbers can be nearly as high as the temperature. Manufacturers don’t actually make models designed for dry versus humid climates, but if dehumidification is a concern for you, you want to make sure that any model you consider does that job well. Spending less for a model that isn’t superior at removing moisture from the air will usually leave you regretting your decision.

Deciding how much cooling power you need can be a little tricky. You’ll see that AC units measure cooling capacity in tons, but what does that mean? Back before air conditioners, buildings were cooled by blocks of ice. The amount of cooling an actual ton of ice could accomplish in 24 hours became the basis for measuring an AC’s cooling ability. Since few, if any, of us have any idea how cool a ton of ice can make a room, this doesn’t exactly help, does it? Unfortunately, it isn’t really possible to come up with an accurate chart of how many tons of cooling power you need based simply on room size since several other factors also come into play. One of those factors is how hot your weather gets. If you live in a place with extreme heat and/or humidity conditions, you’ll need more tonnage simply because your unit will have to work harder to maintain your desired temperature than someone who lives in less extreme conditions. In addition to the weather in your area, your yard plays a part in the process, too. Specifically, whether or not you have a trees or other foliage offering shade or blocking direct sunlight can play in part in determining how hard your air conditioner will have to work. Inside the house, features like high ceilings, windows (and whether or not they’re energy efficient), overall room size, and even your roof (again due to energy efficiency issues) all play a part in determining how many tons of cooling power you should look for in your new AC. A qualified (and trustworthy) AC retailer or specialist will be able to help you determine what your specific needs are based on the above factors.

An air conditioner’s filtration system is an important consideration, too. Filters are responsible for removing dirt and dust from the air being drawn into the AC unit. Over time (how much depends on how dusty or pet-hair-filled your air is), filters will become clogged and need to be cleaned or replaced. If you opt for a model with disposable filters, keep that recurring expense in mind when you’re comparing prices. Failure to properly maintain your air conditioner’s filter can result in your unit having to work harder to get the job done, and it could even result in serious mechanical problems.

If you’re looking for a unit that will be mounted in an open window, make sure that the unit will fit the space before you buy it. You also want to be certain that the unit will sit level so that it can drain properly. If your unit is smaller than the window opening, you can find relatively inexpensive and easy-to-install materials designed to fill any gaps.